Digital risks and fraud trends reported in Spain and Uruguay

A recent study by Triodos Bank in Spain reveals that 61.3% of citizens are most concerned about hoaxes and disinformation on social media. Other significant concerns include data privacy (53.2%), digital harassment (50%), and verbal violence (48.1%). The study, based on 2,600 respondents, notes a generational divide: individuals aged 56 to 65 expressed the highest concern regarding disinformation at 67.8%, compared to 50% of those aged 18 to 25. To mitigate these issues, 54.9% of Spaniards support stricter controls on false content.

In Uruguay, the 2025-2026 Cybersecurity State report by Datasec and Grupo Radar indicates that 32% of internet users experienced attempted fraud or information theft in the past year. Notably, 8% of respondents reported losing money to online scams, an increase from 5% in 2024. The report highlights vulnerabilities such as one in three computer users lacking antivirus software and one in four smartphone users failing to back up data. Experts warn that artificial intelligence is facilitating more sophisticated phishing attacks through personalized messaging and voice or image impersonation.